How to take softwood cuttings with a simple propagator

Illustration of seedlings in module trays on a bright windowsill

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Softwood cuttings are taken from the soft, flexible shoot tips of plants in spring and early summer. A simple propagator—a clear-lidded tray without necessarily any heating—creates the humid, sheltered environment these cuttings need to form roots before they wilt. This guide covers the whole process using a basic unheated propagator, with notes on when extra warmth helps.

Table of Contents

What you need

A clean propagator with a clear lid and, ideally, adjustable vents
Peat-free cuttings compost (free-draining and low in nutrients)
A sharp knife or clean secateurs
A dibber or pencil
Plant labels and a watering can with a fine rose

Taking the cuttings

Take cuttings in the morning when shoots are full of water. Choose non-flowering shoots from healthy, actively growing plants. Cut off up to 10cm (4in) of shoot, making the cut neatly above a bud on the parent plant. Place the material in a clean plastic bag with a label, and keep it cool and moist if you cannot prepare it immediately.

For most softwood cuttings, you will prepare nodal cuttings. Trim the base just below a leaf joint or node, where rooting hormones are concentrated. Remove the lower leaves and, where the plant’s propagation method calls for it, pinch out an overly soft growing tip. The finished cutting should be about 5–10cm (2–4in) long, with the first pair of leaves just above the compost level when inserted.

Some hard-to-root plants, such as rhododendron, benefit from wounding: remove a thin slice of bark near the base of the stem. Others, like acer or sambucus, can be pulled away with a heel of older bark. These are optional refinements; most common softwood cuttings root without them.

Filling the propagator and inserting cuttings

Fill the propagator tray or individual pots with peat-free cuttings compost. This type of compost is free-draining and low in nutrients, which helps prevent rotting in the humid propagator environment. Firm it gently but do not compact it.

Use a dibber or pencil to make a hole for each cutting. Insert the base of the cutting so the first pair of leaves sits just above the compost. Space cuttings so their leaves do not touch, which reduces the risk of fungal problems. Label the tray and water from above with a fine rose to settle the compost around the stems.

Covering and positioning the propagator

Close the propagator lid. If the lid has vents, start with them closed or only slightly open to maintain high humidity. Place the propagator in good light but out of direct, scorching sunlight. A bright north- or east-facing windowsill is often suitable, or diffuse strong light with a layer of horticultural fleece.

If your propagator has a heated base, set it to 18–24°C (64–75°F) as the RHS advises for softwood cuttings. If it is unheated, place it somewhere warm, such as a room at normal indoor temperature, or use a compatible thermostatically controlled heat mat according to its instructions. Many softwood cuttings root without bottom heat when the surroundings are suitable. Added warmth is useful only within the plant’s needs; it can also increase drying and overheating risks.

Managing the propagator environment

Ventilate the propagator daily by lifting the lid or opening the vents for a short time. This exchanges stale air, reduces persistent condensation and helps limit grey mould and rotting. If you see heavy condensation, open the vents a little more or wipe the lid dry.

Keep the compost evenly moist but not waterlogged. Check it regularly; water from below in a clean shallow tray or apply water gently from above, then allow excess to drain. Surface misting alone may not wet the rooting medium adequately. Do not let the compost dry out, as softwood cuttings lose moisture rapidly and wilt easily.

Remove any dead, rotting, dying or diseased leaves or cuttings at least weekly. Prompt removal reduces the risk of problems spreading through the tray.

Checking for roots and potting on

Many softwood cuttings can begin rooting within a few weeks, though some species take longer. Look for roots at drainage holes, or carefully inspect a representative pot while keeping its compost together. Avoid repeatedly tugging stems, which can break new roots. New leaves alone do not prove that a cutting has a strong root system. Once roots are well developed, harden the cuttings off for about two weeks by gradually increasing ventilation—open the vents wider each day, then remove the lid for longer periods.

Pot the rooted cuttings individually into small pots of peat-free multipurpose compost. Keep them in a sheltered, bright place and water carefully until they are growing strongly. Plant out only when the roots are established, the season is suitable and temperatures meet the plant’s requirements. Tender plants may need protection through winter.

Common problems and how to avoid them

Wilting: can follow drying, overheating or stem/root problems. Check temperature and compost moisture, move out of harsh sun and restore appropriate humidity without saturating the medium.
Grey mould or basal rotting: encouraged by stagnant, overly wet conditions. Ventilate daily, remove dead material, and use clean tools and trays.
No roots after several weeks: some species are slower, or the cutting may have been taken from flowering or old growth. Take non-flowering shoots from young growth, and consider bottom heat if available.

Choosing a simple propagator and compost

For this method, a basic unheated propagator with a clear lid and adjustable vents is all you need. Look for one with a tray deep enough to hold your cuttings upright without the leaves touching the compost. A separate heated propagator is useful if you propagate regularly, but it is not essential for many common plants.

Use a peat-free cuttings compost, or make your own by mixing peat-free multipurpose compost with horticultural grit or perlite to improve drainage. Avoid garden soil, which can introduce diseases and is too heavy for cuttings.

Useful products for this job

The links below open Amazon UK product searches. Check the exact item, seller, current price and compatibility before buying.

Unheated propagator with clear lid and adjustable vents: Creates the humid, sheltered environment softwood cuttings need to root without wilting; vents allow daily ventilation to reduce fungal disease. Check the tray is deep enough to hold 5–10cm cuttings upright with the first pair of leaves just above the compost; ensure the lid is clear and vents can be opened or closed; confirm it fits your chosen location and any heat mat. Search Amazon for Unheated propagator with clear lid and adjustable vents.
Peat-free cuttings compost: Free-draining and low in nutrients, which helps prevent rotting in the humid propagator and provides air spaces for new roots. Choose a peat-free medium suitable for the cuttings you are taking, with an appropriate fine texture, drainage and nutrient level; follow any crop-specific requirements. Search Amazon for Peat-free cuttings compost.

Related garden guides

Sources and further guidance

Guidance researched in September 2026. The feature image is an AI-generated illustration. Product guidance is based on published information, not hands-on testing.